Play & Learn Activities for Babies: 65 Simple Ways to Promote Growth and Development from Birth to Two Years Old

by Hannah Fathi

Overview

Inexpensive, Engaging Activities to Help Your Baby Reach Developmental Milestones

Every parent wants to encourage their baby’s education and growth, but where should you start? Hannah Fathi is here to save the day with 65 essential activities that use play as a vehicle for teaching and skill- building. With options that focus on everything from fine and gross motor skills to observation and investigation skills and beyond, these activities are guaranteed to delight your little one while introducing fundamental concepts and sparking curiosity. Whether you’re a new parent looking for methods to make tummy time more appealing to your infant, or a caregiver on the hunt for exciting ways to teach a toddler about colors and shapes, this indispensable resource has the answer.

Including chapters on sensory play, fine and gross motor play, imagination and more, these hands-on projects use everyday objects and recycled materials, saving you money and making the most of what you already have on hand. Best of all, each activity requires minimal preparation, and many come with traceable templates, so even the busiest parent can skip expensive store-bought toys in favor of these cute, frugal and fun activities. Teach your child about music and sound with the Rainbow Chickpea Shaker or the Cake Tin Drum, or let their imagination run wild with Baby-Sock Finger Puppets or the Make-Believe Mailbox. Sponge- paint a masterpiece together using taste-safe paint, or mesmerize your infant with a black and white Montessori mobile they won’t be able to look away from. With Hannah’s expertise and ingenuity, learning and development have never been easier or more enjoyable.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781645673989
Publisher:	Page Street Publishing
Publication date:	01/25/2022
Pages:	192
Sales rank:	1,046,804
Product dimensions:	7.70(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.40(d)
Age Range:	3 Months

About the Author

Hannah Fathi is a thrifty mother of two and the brains behind Baby Play Hacks, a popular blog, Instagram account and phone and web app. Her work has been featured in online media, including Babylist and Good Housekeeping. She lives with her husband and children in Mountain View, California.

Table of Contents

Introduction 9

Tips for Baby and Toddler Playtime 10

Strengthening and Active Play 13

Tummy Time Stand 14

Spider Web Toy Grab 17

Rattle Socks 18

Transforming Disks 21

Vroom! Vroom! Box Car 23

Wipeable Car Play Mat 26

Magnetic Fishing 29

Pound-a-Ball 32

Color Gap Match 35

Felt Shape Board 36

Vibrant Straw Roller 39

Investigation and Discovery 41

Family Faces Book 43

Sliding Surprise Box 44

Jingle Ball Run 47

Egg Carton Color Sort 48

Lid Stacking Rings 51

Pajama Pull 52

Link Drop Box 55

Smiley Cards and Wallet 56

Pop Drop 59

Shadow Projector Tubes 60

Hide-and-Find Pouches 63

Dexterity- and Coordination-Building Play 65

Shape Pocket Busy Board 67

Ribbon Shapes Puzzle 68

Jumbo Rainbow Crayons 71

Spinning Color Wheel 72

Smiling Face Puzzle 75

Ring Box Pull 76

Counting Bead Slide 79

Bat-and-Play Ribbon Octopus 80

Clothespin Sun and Cloud 83

Pouch Lid Tracks 84

Drop-and-Twist Station 87

Ribbon Colander 88

Engaging Sensory Play 91

Taste-Safe Sponge Painting 93

Tube Shakers 94

Crinkle Square 97

Ocean Bottle 98

Button Water Mat 101

Rainbow Chickpea Shaker 102

Tactile Sensory Path 105

Bead Squishy Bag 106

Cake Tin Drum 109

Natural Sensory Lids 110

Visual Exploration 113

Emotion-Changing Face 115

"I Spy" Bottle 116

Peekaboo Board 119

Black-and-White Montessori Mobile 120

Farm Animal Shadow Puppets 123

Colorful Pom-Pom Garlands 124

Rainbow Spinner 127

Playing Card Gallery 128

Nature Mobile 131

Matching Animal Cards 132

Nostalgic CD Mobile 135

Imaginative and Dramatic Play 137

Squashy Sock Bunnies 139

Make-Believe Mailbox 141

Superb Doll Swing 144

Baby-Sock Finger Puppets 148

Felt Animal Masks 151

Pouring Milk-Jug Fish 152

Car Cubbyholes 155

Baby Doll Bathroom 156

Breezy Bottle Boat 159

Rhythmic Rainstick 160

Templates 162

Project Recommendations by Age 175

Project Index by Skill 176

Attributions 182

Acknowledgments 183

About the Author 184

Index 185

Editorial Reviews

”This book is a boon for tired parents everywhere! Hannah curates simple, inexpensive and engaging activities for little ones, and I’ve turned to her resources many times for my own children.” —Cara Florance, author of the Baby Medical School series

”Hannah provides so many creative, easy-to-set-up and playful ways to engage with your baby. This book is a fantastic resource for any new or experienced parent!” —Mandisa Watts, creator of Happy Toddler Playtime and author of Exciting Sensory Bins for Curious Kids

”Hannah shares easy play ideas for babies and toddlers that use common materials you probably already have on hand. They are engaging and fun with not a lot of prep work required!” ——Kimberly McLeod, creator of The Best Ideas for Kids

From the Publisher